Grand Rapids Lantern Festival Kicks Off This Week

A popular festival is back this year! Grand Rapids is the only place in Michigan you can see these incredible works of art.

Grand Rapids Lantern Festival at John Ball Zoo

Last year John Ball Zoo hosted Grand Rapids first lantern festival - and it's returning in 2024!

According to GR Kids, John Ball Zoo teams up with Tianyu Arts & Culture, Inc. on the festival. Tianyu Arts & Culture has been holding lantern festivals all over the world for over a decade. 

The Grand Rapids Lantern Festival is a one-mile light tour featuring handcrafted Asian lantern displays that illuminate the Zoo and tell the intersecting story of wildlife and Asian culture.

John Ball Zoo says 2024's festival will feature new lanterns and interactive experiences.

According to WZZM-13, Grand Rapids Lantern Festival is 10 weeks long instead of the previous 8. The main themes this year will be a Chinese culture section, an ocean-themed section, and a insect-themed section.

Check out highlights from the 2023 festival below.

When is Grand Rapids Lantern Festival?

Grand Rapids Lantern Festival is April 10 through June 16, 2024, Wednesdays through Sundays, 7:30p.m. to 11p.m.

Tickets for Grand Rapids Lantern Festival

General admission tickets for Grand Rapids Lantern Festival are on sale here as of Feb. 5.

Timed tickets are sold every 30 minutes. The last entry is at 10:30pm. Keep in mind though, you can spend longer than half an hour at the festival! John Ball Zoo says,

Entry times are staggered to ensure an enjoyable guest experience. Once you’ve entered the event you can enjoy it at your own pace.

On Wednesday and Thursday, ticket prices for general admission are $22 for non-members and $19 for Zoo members members.

On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, it's $24 for non-members and $21 for members.

There are also four packs of tickets you can buy. Kids two and under are free.